Modals

Chapters 9 & 10

Your Trip to the Southwest:

Native American Rock Art

Any visit to the southwestern states should

include a trip to see the amazing Rock Art of the
prehistoric Native Americans. The term rock art
refers to two types of art forms- petroglyphs, which
are carved into the rock, and pictographs, which are
painted on the rock. In some National Parks, you
dont have to look far to find magnificent petroglyphs
because they seem to be on just about every rock or
cliff face. In other areas, you have to hike up to
caves or into canyons to see the rock art, but it is well
worth the effort. Regardless of where you go, you
ought to bring a camera to record these hauntingly
beautiful images.
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Use must or have to to express necessity.

In other areas, you have to hike up to caves
or into canyons to see the rock art.
Can you see the rock art from your car?
NO
What is necessary to see the rock art?

You have to leave the car and hike up to

caves or into canyons.
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Use dont have to when talking about lack of

necessity.
You dont have to look far to find magnificent
petroglyphs because they seem to be on just
about every rock or cliff face.
Is it necessary to look far?

NO.
You dont have to look far.
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Should and ought to are used to express

advisability.

You should see the rock art in New Mexico.

SameYES
meaning?

You ought to see the rock art in New Mexico.

Should and ought to are used to express

advisability.
You should see
the rock art in
New Mexico.
You ought to
see the rock art
in New Mexico.

Both mean its a good

idea to see the rock art.

Practice 1
Write a sentence for each of the modals.
must have to dont have to ought to should
1. ______________________________________.
2. ______________________________________.
3. ______________________________________.
4. ______________________________________.
5. ______________________________________.
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The rock art spans thousands of years and an area

that includes almost all of the United States and
Mexico. However, the southwestern states contain an
unusually high number of images, often clustered
around old settlements. As you walk through these
areas, you may find figures of people, animals, or
plants carved into the rock. You can also see unique
geometric patterns. What were these patterns
supposed to represent? We may never know. The
artists could have been illustrating rain or lightning.
Or they may have been trying to depict emotions
such as joy or sadness. Whatever the meaning, the
beauty they had intended to convey is plain to see.
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Use was / were supposed to when talking

about unknown or unfulfilled plans or
expectations in the past.
What were these patterns supposed to
represent?
We have no idea of the purpose of the
artist, so we can only guess.

Perhaps the rock art was supposed to

tell a story.
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Progressive form of modals express a possibility

about something in progress, either now or in the
past.

The artist could have been illustrating rain.

modal + have been + -ing
When did the artist live?

in the past

What were they doing?

illustrating rain

Are we certain?

No.
Perhaps they were.
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Practice 2 - Complete the sentences with the given

verbs and an appropriate modal. More than one modal
may be possible.
can learn
1. Scientists (learn)________________
a lot by
analyzing rock art from different areas.
2. Look! Those students are taking samples from the
rocks. They (study)___________________
must be studying the
rock art.
3. The park ranger (give) ______________________
was supposed to give
a tour of the rock art today, but its been cancelled.
4. As they carved the rock, the prehistoric artists
(hope) ______________________
might have been hoping people in the
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future would see their art.

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The reason why these prehistoric peoples created

the rock art remains a mystery. Many scientists
believe the artists must have created it for ceremonial
purposes. Others think they may have created it as a
form of language or to mark territorial claims. Some
people have even speculated the rock art could
depict visits from aliens or people from outer space,
but most scientists dont think this is true. A much
simpler explanation is that the rock art could just be
the innocent drawings of ancient peoples. Whatever
the reason, we may never know, given the long time
period over which the rock art occurred and the vast
geographic area where it can be found.
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Degrees of Certainty: present tense

The rock art must tell a story.
The rock art could depict visits from aliens.
Which one is more certain?
must

95% sure

may
might
could

50% sure or less

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Degrees of Certainty: past tense

past
modal + have + participle

The artists must have created it for

ceremonial purposes.
Others think they may have created it as a form
of language.
Which one is more certain?

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Negative: In both present and past, the degrees of

certainty for modals change (except for must).
PRESENT

The rock art may not tell a story.

The rock art couldnt depict visits from aliens.
Which one is more certain?
couldnt
99% sure
cant
must not

95% sure

may not
might not

50% sure
or less

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Negative: In both present and past, the degrees of

certainty for modals change (except for must).
PAST

The artists may not have wanted to tell a story.

The artists couldnt have depicted visits from aliens.
couldnt have
cant have

99% sure

must not have

95% sure

may not have

might not have

50% sure
or less
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Practice 3
Use Degrees of Certainty modals to answer the
questions in your own words. Many answers are
possible.
1. Why were the petroglyphs made?
2. What did the geometric patterns mean?
3. What is the most frequently seen image in
the rock art?
4. What image probably is not seen in the rock
art?
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CREDITS

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